Pallet



T. J. DESBOIS Feb. 7, 1961 PALLET Filed March 2, 1959 BY M ATTORNEYPALLET Theodore J. Desbos, 423 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Filed Mar. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 796,360

7 Claims. (Cl. 248-120) This invention is concerned with pallets. It isparticularly directed to light-Weight, economical pallets adapted foruse with fork-lift trucks in storing and carrying sacks, bags, cartons,drums and the like.

The storage and transportation of merchandise on pallets has beenextensively employed in recent years. When merchandise can be loaded onpallets, stored and then shipped to a customer without rehandling of theindividual packages, great savings are possible. Disadvantages of manytypes of pallets now used are their excessive weight which adds toshipping charges and their relatively high cost which necessitates theirreturn for reuse with additional expense. A pallet that is used onlyonce is therefore desirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide pallets of thecharacter described which are of simple light-weight and inexpensiveconstruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pallets of thecharacter described which may be conveniently and inexpensively shippedand assembled.

Another object o-f the present invention is to provide pallets of thecharacter described that are nevertheless strong and durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide pallets of the characterdescribed which may be used for storing and shipping bags, cartons,drums and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the main portions of a pallet according tothe present invention as cut or stamped from sheets of corrugated boardor the like;

Figure 2 is an end view of an assembled pallet;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the assembled pallet shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an assembled pallet like that shown in Figure3 but illustrating a modified construction;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a main portion of another modification; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified pallet formed from two of thesheets illustrated in Figure 5.

In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a palletaccording to the present invention comprises a rectangular,load-receiving platform 11 formed by joining in overlapping relation, asby staples 12, flat portions of two essentially identical sheets 14 and15 of corrugated board. The sides of the sheets 14 and 15 arelongitudinally scored, as seen at 16 and 17 in Figure 1, so that theymay be easily bent to form, respectively, outer side panels 18 and .19,base panels 20 and 21, inner side panels 22 and 23 and longitudinallyspaced tongues or flaps 24, 24 and 25, 25. The tongues, when the palletis assembled and erected as shown in Figures 2 and 3 project throughlongitudinally spaced slots 28, 28 and 29, 29, respectively, that arepunched or cut in the platform forming portions of the sheets 14 and 15,the tongues being bent outwardly to extend on said platform UnitedStates` Patent 11 substantially to the adjacent side edges of thelatter.

Within the loops 30 formed by the panels and tongues referred to abovewith the side borders of the platform 11 there are placed longitudinalsupporting members 31. As best shown in Figure 2, one of the members 31is placed against each of the side panels 18, 19,- 22 and 23. Themembers 31 preferably extend the full length of the pallet and are thesame height as the inside height of the panels 18 and 19, therebysupporting the load on the platform 11 and maintaining the loops 30open. It is preferred, as shown, to form the members 31 of strips ofcorrugated board adhesively joined together. However, any other suitablematerial such, for example, as iiber board or wood may be employed. Whencorrugated board is used, it is preferred to have the corrugations runtransversely of the strips. Accordingly, when the pallet is loaded,compressive forces are exerted longitudinally of the corrugations insaid strips. if desired, the members 31 may be cemented or otherwisesecured by any convenient means to the panels 18, 19, 22 and 23, of thepallet.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that pallets accordingto the invention are very useful and convenient and are easily assembledand erected. The

sheets 14 and 15, as mentioned above, are preferably identical and maybe easily folded along the score lines 16 and 17 with the tongues orflaps 24 and 25 projecting through the slots 2S and 29, respectively.The unfolded ends of the sheets 14 and 15 are then overlapped andstapled to form the platform 11, the amount of overlapping beingdetermined by the desired Width of the pallet. Since the sheets 14 and15 may be of any desired length, pallets of various sizes may beconveniently produced and the side loops 30 thereof may be spacedproperly to receive the fork members of a fork-lift truck.Alternatively, of course, the sheets 14 and 15 may first be stapledtogether with the desired amount of overlapping and the loops 30 thenformed. In either case, after the longitudinal supporting members 31 areplaced within the loops 30 the pallet is ready fo-r use.

Pallets according to the present invention may be used for carrying orstoring bags, boxes, and drums or similar containers as Well as otherobjects. As noted above, size adjustment of the load receiving platformis possible by varying the amount of overlapping of the sheets 14 and15. This is particularly important with respect to use of the palletswith bags since proper loading of bags depends upon the pallet being ofspecific size. Further adjustment of pallet size can, of course, besecured by using sheets 14 and 15 of suitable dimensions. It will beevident that when a pallet according to the present invention is loadedthe iiaps or tongues 24 and 25 are held at against the platform portionl1 by the load and the loops 30 are thereby locked against loosening.Asl

pointed out above, the aps 24 and 25 should be o-f such length as toreach substantially to the side edges of the platform 11. They,therefore, extend over the outer supporting member 31 in each of theloops 36 so as to provide bridge elements across the laterallyspacedsupporting members and prevent sagging of the platform 11 adjacentits sides when under load.

In Figure 4 there is shown a modified form of pallet that is similar tothe preferred form illustrated in Figures 1-3 except that the platform35 is formed by bringing the edges of the sheet 36 and 37 together andsecuring them in abutting position by a strip 38 of tape adhesivelyattached to the sheets. Like the preferred embodiment the sheets 36 and37 are scored to permit the bending of their outer portions to formpanels and flaps or tongues like those in Figures 1-3. The flaps 39 and40 pass through slots formed in the platform 35, thereby forming loopsto receive the fork of a fork-lift truck and form,

3 onthe piatform, bridges across spaced longitudinal supporting members31, like those shown in Figures 13, carried in the loops thus provided.A tape strip similar to the strip 38 may, if desired, also be used alongthe lower face of the platform 35 Vover the vabutting Vvedges of thesheets 36 and 37.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate still another modification constructed frommodified sheets 43 and 44, the former being shown in unfolded condi-tionin Figure 5. Each sheet has, adjacent one end thereof, score Alines 46to facilitate bending of the sheet to form panels and tongues or flaps1&7. At its other end, each of the sheets 43 and 44 is provided with anintegral T-shaped tab 49. VIntermediate their ends the sheets 43 and 4l4are provided (as best shown in Figure 5) with spaced, cut or punchedslots 50 adapted to receive the flaps or tongues 47 and also have aplurality of orifices 51. On` each sheet the latter (as best shown inFigure 6) are adapted to cooperate with the tab 9 of the other sheetwhich interlocks therewith to form a complete pallet. The width of thepallet may be adiusted by proper choice of the orifices 54B used. Theflaps 47 with the adjacent panels form loops by projecting through theslots 5t) and are bent outwardly to form bridges over the laterallyspaced longitudinal supporting members 31 within said loops. Thesesupporting members are preferably like the corresponding members inFigures l-3.

ln addition to the modifications described above, numerous othervariations and modifications may be Yemployed in the construction ofpallets in accordance with the present invention. Thus, Vfor example,instead of using two flaps or tongues at each side of a pallet to formthe loops provided for support and entrance of the forks of a fork-lifttruck, a single flap may be used at each side or, alternatively, threeor more such iiaps or tongues may be employed. As pointed out above,these tongues or iiaps preferably serve as bridge elements across thelongitudinal supporting members 3i, thereby giving better distributionof the load on the pallet. Bridge elements may also be provided byauxiliary sheets of corrugated board, ber board, thin wood, or the likeextending longitudinally of the pallet on the pallet platform under theflaps or tongues and bridging the laterally spaced, longitudinalsupporting members 31 in the loops. IfA desired, such elements maysupplement the bridging provided by the flaps or tongues. Such auxiliarysheets may, if desired, be cemented or otherwise suitably secured toeither the flaps or to the tops of the sheets forming the palletplatform and may be of any desired length. It is important, however,that along each side of the pallet for at least about 69% 'of the lengththereof the longitudinal supporting members be provided with one or morebridging members or elements other than and in addition to the platformof the pallet.

As mentioned above, pallets according to the present invention arepreferably constructed of corrugated board. Because of the relativelightness of corrugated board, the weight of the pallets is thereby keptat a minimum. However, iberboard or other similar materials may be usedif desired. Moreover, additional resistance to moisture and/or increasedstrength may be given the cor rugated board or the like by coating orimpregnating it with a suitable material. Any desired and convenientmethod may be employed for such coating or impregnation. Thus, forexample, in some uses sufficient resistance to moisture may be given apallet by merely painting or spraying the upper platform surface and theouter surface of the base panel of each loop with a wax solution in asuitable solvent. In other cases, it may be desired to completelyimpregnato the material of the palle-t by dipping the pallet afterassembly, or the sheets forming it before assembly, in a suitable liquidresin 'or resin solution. Also, of course, if desired the paper or*fibrous sheets from which the corrugated board is formed may bepreviously 'coated or impregnated'with suitable agents.

It will be understood that the essentially identical sheets ofcorrugated board or the like forming the pallet platform may, ifdesired, be joined by stitching, by a suitable adhesive or any otherappropriate means instead of staplingk as described above. Also, ifdesired, the entire pallet platform `may be formed in one piece. Theease with which adjustments of pallets width may be made when using atwo-part pallet, however, make the latter preferable. It -rnay be'mentioned here that the width of a pallet -formed as shown in Figure 4can be easily reduced by merely trimming the inside edges of the sheets36 and 37 before taping them. Essentially identical as lusedYhereinabove and in the ap pended claims with reference to the sheets ofcorrugated board or the like forming the pallets is meant to describethe sheets as being substantially identical so far as the essentialportions thereof necessary for forming the pallet are concerned.Obviously, one of the sheets could be markedly different in certainrespects from the other without affecting 'the invention. Thus, forexample, 'the presence of extra iiaps, tongues, siots, indicia or otherthings on one of said sheets Where such things do not interfere with theformation of a pallet according to the invention is to be disregarded.

Pallets constructed in accordance with the present in vention have beenfound convenient and economical in use. As pointed out above, they arequickly assembled and erected. Before assembly they occupy a minimum ofspace. When loaded, these pallets are conveniently lifted and carried byfork-lift trucks and may be stacked or tiered as desired. Because oftheir light weight, shipping charges on p'alletized loads are reducedand their inexpensive construction permits them to be discarded after asingle use, thus saving the expense of shipping back the heavierpermanent type pallets. However, because of their durability they willin many cases be reusable and thus additional savings will beforthcoming. ln such cases they may obviously be readily disassembled ifdesired and stored for reuse.

Since, as pointed out above, the construction of pallets according tothe present invention is susceptible to numerous variations andmodifications, it is intended that'the invention shall not be construedas being limited to the construction illustrated and described. Rather,the invention should be interpreted as broadly as permitted by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A pallet formed from two essentially identical sheets of corrugatedboard or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift tru'cks whichcomprises a pair of loops adapted to receive the fork of a fork-lifttruck, a rectangular, load receiving platform attached to said loopsalong its side edges, a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal supportingmembers within each of said loops adapted to support said platform andmaintain said loop open, and elements on the upper face of said platformbridging across the said laterally spaced supporting members within eachof said loops, said platform being formed by securing said sheetstogether and each of said loops being formed in part by a fiap integralwith one of said sheets projecting through said platform to the upperface thereof and extending outwardly on said platform toward theadjacent side edge thereof.

v2. A pallet formed from two essentially identical sheets of corrugatedboard or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift trucks whichcomprises a rectangular, load-receiving platform, a pair of loops,adapted to receive the fork of a fork-lift truck, extendinglongitudinally of said platform along each side thereof, a pair oflaterally spaced longitudinal supporting members within each of saidloops, and elements on the upper face of said platform bridging acrossthe said laterally vspacedsupportirlg members withineach of said loops,said sheets being secured together to provide said platform and each ofsaid loops being formed in part by a ap integral with one of said sheetsprojecting through said platform to the upper surface thereof andextending outwardly on said platform toward the adjacent side edgethereof.

3. A pallet formed from a pair of essentially identical sheets ofcorrugated board or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift truckswhich comprises a rectangular, load-receiving platform. a pair of loops.adapted to receive the fork of a fork-lift truck. extending longitudifnally of said platform along each side thereof, and a pair of laterallyspaced longitudinal supporting members within each of said loops. saidsheets being secured together to provide said platform and each of saidloops being formed in part by a ap integral with one of said sheetsprojecting through said platform to the upper surface thereof andextending outwardly on said platform substantiallv to the adjacent sideedge thereof, thereby to form a bridging element across said supportingmembers laterally spaced within said loop.

4. A pallet formed from a pair of essentially identical sheets ofcorrugated board or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift truckswhich comprises a rectangular, load-receiving platform, a pair of loops,adapted to receive the fork of a fork-lift truck, extendinglongitudinally of said platform along each side thereof, and laterallyspaced longitudinal supports within each of said loops, said sheetsbeing secured together to provide said platform and each of said loopsbeing formed iu part by a flap integral with one of said sheetsprojecting through said platform to the upper surface thereof andextending outwardly on said platform substantially to the adjacent sideedge thereof, thereby to form a bridge across said supporting memberslaterally spaced Within said loop.

5. A pallet formed from two essentially identical sheets of corrugatedboard or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift trucks whichcomprises a rectangular, load-receiving platform, a pair of loops,adapted to receive the fork of a fork-lift truck, extendinglongitudinally of said platform along each side thereof, and a pair oflaterally spaced longitudinal supporting members within each of saidloops, said sheets being secured together in overlapping relation toprovide said platform and each of said loops being formed in part byflaps integral with one of said sheets projecting through said platformto the upper surface thereof and extending outwardly on said platformsubstantially to the adjacent side edge thereof, said aps therebyforming bridges across said supporting members laterally spaced withineach of said loops.

6. A pallet formed from two essentially identical sheets 4 of corrugatedboard or the like and adapted for use with fork-lift trucks whichcomprises a rectangular, load-receiving platform formed by attachingtogether the ends of said sheets, a pair of loops adapted to receive thefork of a fork-lift truck extending longitudinally of said platformalong the sides thereof, and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinalsupporting members within each of said loops adapted to support saidplatform and maintain said loops open, each of said loops being formediu part by a plurality of panels and a flap integral with one of saidsheets, said flap projecting through said platform to the upper facethereof and extending outwardly on said platform substantially to theadjacent side edge thereof, thereby to form a bridge element across saidsupporting members laterally spaced within the said loop associated withsaid flap.

7. A pallet of corrugated board or the like adapted for use withfork-lift trucks which comprises a rectangular, load-receiving platformformed or" a sheet, a-pair of loops adapted to receive the fork of afork-lift truck extending longitudinally of said platform along thesides thereof, and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal supportingmembers within each of said loops adapted to support said platform andmaintain said loops open, each of said loops being formed in part by aplurality of panels and a flap, said panels and aps being integral withsaid sheet, said liaps projecting through said platform to the upperface thereof and extending outwardly on said .platform substantially tothe respective adjacent side edges thereof, thereby to form bridgesacross said supporting members Within each of said loops.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,405,535 Weiss Aug. 6, 1946 2,444,183 Cahners June 29, 1948 2,494,730Thursby Jan. 17, 1950 2,696,356 Baumann Dec. 7, 1954 2,798,685 MooneyJuly 9, 1957

